Celebration of Life Live Stream:
Events
The Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, January 10, 2026 starting 11:00AM EST at the Howard University School of Law Dunbarton Chapel, located at 2900 Van Ness St, NW Washington, D.C. 20008. For those unable to attend the service in-person, you can participate remotely by viewing the live stream of the service (please scroll up to see the video).
Obituary
Roberta McLeod Reeves, 80, of Upper Marlboro, MD, passed away on November 23, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. Born on January 5, 1945, in Newark, NJ. Roberta lived a life marked by loved, generosity and caring.
She was known for her work as Director Armour J. Blackburn University Center, curator of the Gallery in the Blackburn University Center as well as being over Intramurals, Recreation and Club Sports.
Ms. McLeod is a graduate of Hampton Institute (University). Ms. McLeod served as the director for 32 years. Prior to her appointment at Howard University she served as the Coordinator for Student Activities, the University Gallery and Director of the Student Center at the Pennsylvania State University Capitol Campus in Middletown, Pa. She served as the Program Director of the Queens College Student Services Corporation at Queens College, Flushing, New York prior to her appointment at The Pennsylvania State University.
She was a Parasitologist at Merck in Rahway, N.J. She also served as a teacher and traveling tutor for the Newark Boys Chorus in Newark, N.J. Ms. McLeod served on several boards including The Village Learning Center Public Charter School, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge National Advisory Board and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
She was the Founder/Director of “Essence of Africa” a Rites of Passage program for girls 8-18 in Prince George’s County. She founded/hosted Art Scope on WPFW-FM radio Washington, D.C. and Black Perspectives and the Arts on WMSP-FM radio, Harrisburg, Pa. She is a retired model and dancer.
She is a member of several organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Association of College Unions International, NAACP, Kiwanis International, Golden Key and Outstanding Young Women in America.
She is survived by her daughter Maria C. McLeod Gebhart and her son Ronald Sean McLeod, and the grandmother of Maia Collins (Everett) and Kayla Lewis (Rayshawn) and great grandmother to Rayshawn, Jr. Amir, Everett IV, and Omarion, her sister Dorothy McGee and brothers Trent and Randy Smith. Ms. McLeod was preceded in death by her mother Gloria Clowers McLeod, her father and stepfather Munson McLeod and Alfred Smith as well as her brothers Anthony McLeod and Willie Alexander. Their memory will forever live in the hearts of those who loved them. A celebration of Roberta McLeod’s life will be held on a later date at Howard University.
Family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and honor the life of someone who meant so much to so many. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Trinity Hospice of Newport News and Chesapeake as well as Harmony Home Care for their compassion and support during this time.
Ms. McLeod always said “We plan but God decides” and God doesn’t make any mistakes!” Our family will live by those statements every day of our lives.